HOMEVULNERABILITIESCVE-2016-6794
MEDIUM

CVE-2016-6794

NVD-CWE-noinfoPublished: August 10, 2017· Updated: Jun 17, 2026

5.3
CVSS v3.1

Official Description

When a SecurityManager is configured, a web application's ability to read system properties should be controlled by the SecurityManager. In Apache Tomcat 9.0.0.M1 to 9.0.0.M9, 8.5.0 to 8.5.4, 8.0.0.RC1 to 8.0.36, 7.0.0 to 7.0.70, 6.0.0 to 6.0.45 the system property replacement feature for configuration files could be used by a malicious web application to bypass the SecurityManager and read system properties that should not be visible.

NVD Source

Technical Analysis

CVE-2016-6794 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.

The vulnerability requires no privileges and no user interaction, making it a prime target for automated exploitation campaigns and worm-like propagation.

CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown

Exploitability
Attack VectorNetwork
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges Req.None
User InteractionNone
ScopeUnchanged
Impact
ConfidentialityLow
IntegrityNone
AvailabilityNone
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N

Affected Vendors & Products

Apache1 product(s)
tomcat
Canonical1 product(s)
ubuntu linux
Debian1 product(s)
debian linux
netapp3 product(s)
oncommand insightoncommand shiftsnap creator framework
Oracle1 product(s)
tekelec platform distribution
Red Hat7 product(s)
jboss enterprise web serverenterprise linux desktopenterprise linux eusenterprise linux serverenterprise linux server ausenterprise linux server tusenterprise linux workstation
Source: NVD CPE · 20 total CPE entries

Exploit & PoC Resources

NO KNOWN EXPLOITNo public exploit confirmed at this time
Exploit-DB
Offensive Security exploit database
GitHub PoC Search
Community PoC repositories
Rapid7 / Metasploit
Metasploit module search
PacketStorm
Security advisories & exploits
NVD Detail
Official NIST entry
MITRE CVE
CVE Program entry
External links open in a new tab. Always verify in a controlled environment before use.

Official Patches & Advisories

PATCHhttps://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuoct2021.html
PATCHhttps://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuoct2021.html
ADVISORYhttp://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017-0457.html
ADVISORYhttp://www.debian.org/security/2016/dsa-3720
ADVISORYhttps://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:0455
ADVISORYhttps://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:0456
ADVISORYhttps://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:2247
ADVISORYhttps://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20180605-0001/
ADVISORYhttps://usn.ubuntu.com/4557-1/
ADVISORYhttp://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017-0457.html
ADVISORYhttp://www.debian.org/security/2016/dsa-3720
ADVISORYhttps://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:0455
ADVISORYhttps://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:0456
ADVISORYhttps://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:2247
ADVISORYhttps://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20180605-0001/
ADVISORYhttps://usn.ubuntu.com/4557-1/

All References (50)

→
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017-0457.htmlThird Party Advisory
→
http://www.debian.org/security/2016/dsa-3720Third Party Advisory
→
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/93943Broken Link
→
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1037143Broken Link
→
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:0455Third Party Advisory
→
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:0456Third Party Advisory
→
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:2247Third Party Advisory
→
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/09d2f2c65ac4ff5da42f15dc2b0f78b655e50f1a42e8a9784134a9eb%40%3Cannounce.tomcat.apache.org%3E
→
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/343558d982879bf88ec20dbf707f8c11255f8e219e81d45c4f8d0551%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
→
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/37220405a377c0182d2afdbc36461c4783b2930fbeae3a17f1333113%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
→
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/388a323769f1dff84c9ec905455aa73fbcb20338e3c7eb131457f708%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
→
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/39ae1f0bd5867c15755a6f959b271ade1aea04ccdc3b2e639dcd903b%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
→
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/3d19773b4cf0377db62d1e9328bf9160bf1819f04f988315086931d7%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
→
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/6af47120905aa7d8fe12f42e8ff2284fb338ba141d3b77b8c7cb61b3%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
→
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/845312a10aabbe2c499fca94003881d2c79fc993d85f34c1f5c77424%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E

Quick Facts

CVE IDCVE-2016-6794
CVSS Score5.3 / 10
SeverityMEDIUM
WeaknessNVD-CWE-noinfo
CISA KEVNo
Affected6 vendor(s)
PublishedAug 10, 2017

Related CVEs (NVD-CWE-noinfo)

CVE-2008-5010
10.0
CVE-2009-3099
10.0
CVE-2015-3042
10.0
CVE-2014-2624
10.0
CVE-2006-3698
10.0
CVE-2009-1422
10.0

Recommended Actions

  • →Apply vendor patches immediately
  • →Monitor CVE-2016-6794 in threat intel feeds
  • →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts
Data sourced from NVD (NIST), CISA KEV, and EPSS (FIRST). Analysis generated by CTIWatch. CVE data is provided under the NVD usage policy.
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